Water contamination is a global issue that affects both developed and developing countries. Drinking water should be free of pathogenic microbes to get potable water and for public health preservation in a process called disinfection. The existence of pathogens in water is a significant contributor to numerous human diseases. Microbial water disinfection is crucial for the prevention of outbreaks. Since improved water quality can reduce the incidence of infectious diseases globally by about 4%, according to WHO estimates. Therefore, an efficient water disinfection strategy is desperately needed. This article review discussed microbial water disinfection methods encompassing a range of strategies, spanning from traditional methods, physical techniques (such as ultraviolet radiation), and the chemical techniques (such as chlorine and ozone), to laser based disinfection techniques, femtosecond laser based antimicrobial photoinactivation (aPI), as chemical-free and ecologically conscious alternatives. It is a promising approach that is groundbreaking and efficient without introducing exogenous photosensitizers.